Last Wednesday night my husband & I had a date night. First we went to the movies, then out to dinner. At dinner my husband pulled out the directions to the bar in which the benefit was being held. We read through the directions together. Then I got up to go to the bathroom, leaving the directions on the table. My husband was waiting by the bathroom door and we left the restaurant. We DID NOT leave the directions on the table. My husband went back in the restaurant to grab the directions, but they were already gone. We DID NOT decide to try and find it on our own. We ended up in the right vicinity, but never found the bar. We had a great time trying though.

I DID NOT wake up at 3:30am yesterday and could not get back to sleep. After an hour of laying in bed, I WOULD NEVER go downstairs and clean up, watch tv & play on the computer. Seems as if I am fighting some cold right now. I went back to sleep @9am.

I DID NOT forget to pull out my camera when we decorated the Christmas tree on Saturday. You see everything is a photo-op and I WOULD NEVER forget something like that.

I WOULD NEVER send my son to school with a mohawk...NOPE!This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Friday, November 27, 2009

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:Do you send out Christmas cards? If so when do you usually mail them and how many do you send out?

I ordered mine from the photos I had taken last weekend. They are ready to pick up today. I will probably mail them next week. We usually mail out around 50 cards.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I had such a fantastic reaction to the Snow White Ornament that I made for my daughter here, that I decided to sell her in my shop and make some other princesses. I made Cinderella yesterday.

I think I am going to make Ariel next. My 4 year old niece asked me yesterday to make Ariel with legs instead of the mermaid version.

On another note, I am going out on a date night tonight. I am dropping the kids off at the in-laws overnight and my husband & I are going to a benefit concert. The concert is for the father of my husband's high school BFF. The man has terminal cancer. Just heartbreaking. The bands playing are punk bands, one of which my husband's BFF's brother is in. Should be a fun night.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

In the summer of 1993 my friend (girl below on right) had a house party. I went to high school with the people in the picture. This photo was 2 years after graduation. I have reconnected with the 2 girls on facebook.

At the time I was going out with the boy on the right and had been friends with the boy on the left for many years (all through high school). I miss the boy on the left. He still has yet to join facebook.Shhhh...yes we were all 19-20 in these photos. Ahhhh...to be young and care free.

Monday, November 23, 2009

My parents are vegetarians. They became vegetarians when I was really young. They are not vegan or in your face about it, but they do not eat meat. They do eat seafood, eggs and dairy products. My parents let my sister and I eat meat growing up. My mom would buy my sister and I chicken noodle soup, but my parents never ate it. I am no longer a vegetarian, but my sister and her family are. I do however LOVE getting cheese subs still and both of my children LOVE vegetables. My mother is an awesome cook and baker.

So onto the fried provolone cheese. As a vegetarian, BLT's are not really an option. Now a days you can purchase what I like to call fakin bacon, but back then they didn't have anything like that. My mother was watching Phil Donahue one morning in 1983 and saw Nikki & David Goldbeck on the show. They were promoting their book, American Wholefoods Cuisine (Over 1300 meatless common wholesome recipes from short order to gourmet). My mother thought the Fried Provolone Cheese looked yummy and went to our local bookstore and had them order the book. When my mom fried it we usually had a CLT (cheese, lettuce, tomato) sandwich that night. It is yummy on it's own and my kids and husband will eat it that way, too. BTW...my husband is REALLY picky and is a meat & potatoes kind of guy and he likes it. One of my BBF's is even pickier than my husband and she asked me why I never made her try it before (I had her try it a couple years ago). She now makes it, too.

It is really simple to do. Place a slice of cheese (I just used regular slices I bought at the deli) in a hot non stick frying pan. When the edges get a bit crispy use tongues and flip the cheese. When the other side looks golden brown take out and drain, like you would if you fried bacon.

My mom also makes Onion Soup using the recipe she found in this book and it is FANTASTIC! MMMmmm...wish my picky husband liked Onion Soup.

I have to apologise for the tutu post. (if you were here earlier you know what I mean) I posted that on the wrong week and it will be back next Monday.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Every year we take the kids to get a family photo taken for Christmas cards. Her are some of the photos that were taken. I made the clip for Lily's hair, remember here. I decided on the white flower to go with this dress. I have another Christmas dress she is going to wear the red rose with.

Friday, November 20, 2009

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:Do you send candy in your children's school lunches as a dessert (especially now that we all have too much Halloween candy.) Or growing up did your parents send you with candy as dessert once in a while? Does your school have a no candy policy in lunches brought from home?

Ok, so I have a fire under my butt this week.I received this letter from the school Monday...

"Dear Potters Road Families,

This year, Potters Road Elementary has joined the other elementary schools in West Seneca and neighboring districts that have made the decision to eliminate lunch visitations.

In addition, in an effort to promote healthy food choices, pop, candy, and restaurant food (i.e. McDonalds) cannot be brought into the school cafeteria. This policy is consistent throughout the district. I encourage you to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,Holly QuinnPrinciple"

This has gotten out of hand. On Monday, my son came home upset because I sent him to school with part of a chocolate bar (he bought in school) for dessert in his bag lunch. Seriously? My 8yr old is worried he is going to be expelled for bringing candy into school. Seriously? I can no longer send in a tootsie roll as a special dessert in his lunch? Or leftover pizza? WTH?BUT the schools can serve my kid chicken nuggets, pizza, cake, ice cream and fruit cups stored in heavy syrup? Seriously...? When did I stop being the parent and loose my right to choose what my 8yr old is fed? While I understand that as a society we should be healthier, but seriously? Who hasn't sent Halloween/Christmas candy in their child's lunch as a dessert or as a child had their parents send it? Instead of policing what I send in my son's lunch, why don't you take a look at your own lunch menu?...Where did the input come from for this decision? When did candy become evil? When my husband talked to the principle, she told him that it is unacceptable to send in that "tootsie roll" in our son's lunch and when asked why they are selling ice cream & chicken nuggets in the cafeteria, she stated that she has no say in the lunch menu and that we as parents have the right not to purchase the ice cream or school lunch. NICE! It's great to hear I have some rights. At the beginning of the year we sold candy for the school's PTG and I picked it up on Tuesday in the cafeteria...loving the irony. I talked to the vice-superintendent on Wednesday and have been assured they are not going to police the lunch rooms for candy.

BTW...this is the second ridiculous letter from the principle. The first one told all the parents that we are not allowed to pick up our children between 2:30-3:00pm (school ends at 3pm) without a dr's excuse. I bit my tongue then, but she just keeps getting more ridiculous. What's next?

If you are still reading, thank you for listening to me rant. It just rubs me the wrong way when people are trying to take my rights away as a parent.

***edited to add***We are not huge candy people, I will send a couple small pieces in my son's school lunch if we have it (ie. Halloween candy) as a dessert.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

I blogged about my birthday cake here. I haven't made this cake in a really long time (it was before kids). I also never got a cake for my birthday this year. So yesterday while at Walmart I decided to buy the ingredients for my favorite cake. Last night I made it for dessert. All I have to say is YUM! My husband had to complain that I used raspberry jello because he hates raspberry. He ate it though. I am sure it would be ok with other flavors of Jello, raspberry is my favorite though. My mother found this recipe in a Jello flier MANY MANY years ago. It was also her go to cake when she went to wakes because it is a cake you can eat with your hands. It was always a hit.

Combine cake mix, sour cream, water and eggs in a large bowl.Blend, then beat at medium speed 2min until creamy.Spoon 1/3 of batter into a well greased and floured 10in bundt pan.Sprinkle with 1/2 of the gelatinRepeat layers.Spread the remaining batter over the gelatin to cover.

Bake 350degrees for 45 min, until cake springs back when lightly pressed.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

This year for my daughter's 3rd birthday we are giving her lots of Snow White things. My son is giving her a Snow White magnetic doll and my grandmother is giving her the Snow White DVD. I am giving her a dress up costume that looks like a snow white dress. I made a Snow White bead for a necklace that I am going to make for her, too.

I also made a Snow White ornament for her. (Her birthday is the 14th of December. She was my Christmas present 3 yrs ago.)

I am hoping she loves everything.Happy Wordless Wednesday.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Monday, November 16, 2009

I certainly did not drink to much champagne on Saturday night and then feel terrible on Sunday morning. Mmm...NOPE I am certainly old enough to know better!

I did not fall asleep with the tv going almost all week. Glasses on, remote in hand, asleep. I am not one of "those people" with a tv in my bedroom.

When my son is driving me nuts, I do not send him upstairs to clean his room hoping for an hour of quiet.

I am not tired of walking down the hall and seeing the clothes on the floor under the laundry shoot door. Seriously? Is there a reason my family can not open the door and throw them down? Ok, I did not just share that with everyone who reads my blog.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week’s theme is: "Autumn Beauty" Check out more photos at i ♥ faces.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment." -Georgia O'Keeffe

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." -Claude Monet

While making some other items this weekend I made these 2 flowers. We are getting our Christmas pictures taken next Saturday and I need a pretty clip for Lily's hair. I think I am going to add the rose to a hair clip for her hair.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Thank you for stopping by Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Fresh Mommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

Friday, November 13, 2009

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:What time do your kids go to bed? & get up in the morning? (their age)If you don't have kids, what time do you go to bed & get up?

My son (now age 8) has been an early riser from the time he was an infant. I always hated time changes because that would just mean he would just get up earlier. We have tried the "go to bed later" thing more than once hoping he would sleep later...mmm, didn't work. I just ended up with a cranky kid, which made me cranky. So my son goes to bed at 7:30pm on school nights because he gets up between 5:30-6:30am. Because my house is tiny, when one kid wakes up it usually wakes the other. My daughter (almost 3) goes to bed between 7-7:30. I went to a scrapbooking workshop last Sunday and sat with people I didn't know. They thought my kids bedtimes were crazy early and looked at me like I was nuts. All I have to say is it works for my family and I get some much needed quiet time with my husband in the evenings.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!